Hello Xterra experts. I'm a new Xterra owner and like all of you I am seriously impressed with my beast so far! However, the thing I'm not impressed with is GAS MILEAGE!! OK, I know these things are heavy tanks that can rock crawl and are not built to sip fuel but I have some questions you guys might be able to answer.... but first things first.

What I got: 2001 V6 3.3L Manual 5 Speed (163K miles!!)
What I'm asking: What do YOU guys suggest I do to start getting the best gas mileage possible? As in what tune up features I should look into? Do I make sure I go synthetic in the engine and transfer cases etc? Do I start w/ plugs, air filter and fuel filter? Do I look into getting a "superchip" for this vehicle - btw will a chip even work or is MADE for this year and vehicle and did anyone do that?

As you all can tell I'm clueless. I was thinking of starting with the cheap obvious stuff like: 1.) Change the fluids 2.) change the plugs and wires 3.) change the fuel filter 4.) change air filter and the like before I started looking at weird or exotic mods or expensive gadgets.

So Xterra owners... what say all of you? Where does a noob like me start??

Thank you in advance - Spoonman